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How Does Redbull Affect Your Brain Chemistry?

chronicfatiguetreatments.c… — Redbull is a popular energy drink. It provides a quick energy boost. But, do you know what is actually in it? Article shows active ingredients in redbull, and how the affect your brain chemistry.

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  • artifact29, on 10/10/2007, -10/+1It is not a drink, it's a shrink
    • superpotential, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4well, 1 can of redbull has LESS caffeine than 24 ounces of Sunkist Orange Soda.
  • defslyr4, on 10/10/2007, -7/+1weeeeeeeeeeee it gives me wings!!!!! i never noticed but redbull has a lot of the same ingredients as some body building suppliments like taurine... ok fine just one ingredient in common. but hey its still legal crack!
  • cusoman, on 10/10/2007, -0/+24A lot of those things really don't sound all that bad by themselves. It's when you mix them that you get bad results over time. Everything in moderation.
    • tehrob, on 10/10/2007, -0/+15Except moderation.
    • pushmouse, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
      • InferiorWang, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Overkill is consistently more fun.
    • canUdi9it, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I think RedBull got its name from the taurine. Taurus is a bull.
  • brycelb, on 10/10/2007, -3/+76I know that when you mix it with Vodka it makes girls do some freaky *****. No complaining over here though.
    • zzz@tkz, on 10/10/2007, -13/+3Or...Red Bull (or any energy drink [duh]) is very energetic, and alcohol is a depressant, thus ***** up your brain and killing you.
      • MrSidnet, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1The only thing that alcohol "depresses" is common sense, balance, muscle control, pain receptors, etc. Mix that with a boost of energy and you have a whole night of self confidence in a can.
        • bIuebonics, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2alcohol is a depressant in the manner that it's a central nervous center depressant. no need for the quotes at all.
    • ihate2regist, on 10/10/2007, -11/+4they cancel each other out
      • zzz@tkz, on 10/10/2007, -2/+15No, they don't.
        • emjaymj, on 10/10/2007, -3/+3Actually for the most part they do. Speedballs (a mixture of heroin and cocaine) are dangerous for just this reason. The effects largely cancel each other out allowing the user to take more of each. The problem isn't "***** up your brain" so much as the fact that cocaine wears off much quicker than heroin, and you end up overdosing an hour and a half later. I used these two as an example because they are the ideal examples for the interaction between stimulants and depressants.
        • zzz@tkz, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Interesting.

          Stimulants. That was the word I was looking for :.
        • Jeffmr1, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1@emjaymj

          Actually speedballs and mixing of any stimulants/depressants is dangerous because it can cause your heart to go into cardiac arrest because of the mixed signals it may receive. Usually this is only a problem for people who way overdo it or have heart problems (especially when they don't know about their heart problems). I can't tell you how many times I've mixed energy drinks and alcohol, but I'm still here; most of the media reports are just scare-mongering it's really not as dangerous as they say it is.
          • emjaymj, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Right. I'm not saying they completely cancel each other out, because alcohol and redbull are both more than just a pure depressant and stimulant, and so there are other effects that aren't opposing. Because the stimulant/depressant effects are being somewhat mitigated by each other, the user thinks their body is able to handle a lot more than it really can, and that's what leads to overdoing it.
        • bIuebonics, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2usually it's not when people mix opposite drugs that are the problem, it's when people mix ***** like alcohol and xanax or valium which are all CNS depressants that it becomes a problem because the effects of each drug compound as they all affect the same thing making it easier to take too much alcohol or valium with the combination of the other. @emjaymj - the effects certainly don't cancel each other out, you definitely feel both of them in proportion to how much you take.
      • Butros, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Alcohol is a stimulant in small doses (the first couple hours of drinking)
      • dark_helmet, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Its really bad for your heart, but they definitely don't cancel each other out.
      • Buckiller, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1I loled
    • ThinkBox, on 10/10/2007, -3/+7dont worry about zzz@tkz, he doesnt get invited to any parties so he's just bitter
      • zzz@tkz, on 10/10/2007, -10/+1I go to parties, but there are a lot of people that die that way.
        • Herbster1986, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1doubt it
        • shinynew, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1PROTIP: defending your self on the internet is almost always loseing.
        • MikeMulligan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0PROTIP: Learn how to ***** spell before you attempt to flame someone on the internet...
    • superpotential, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4as far as mixing red bull and alcohol, look up 'Jagerbomb'
    • lujoko, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4red bull and vodka works like a truth serum for me. i have said some very regretful things. all true, though, fat ass.
    • Uranium118, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Redbull / Vodka is good, just don't take too much. It does not cancel each other haha. You have the impression you're less drunk than you really are, so it could be dangerous if you're alone and decide to drive or do someting stupid.
  • ZephyrNinety, on 10/10/2007, -4/+12It gives you wings.
  • nblsavage, on 10/10/2007, -11/+12Can't stand the crap - it tastes like cough syrup.
    • linkin2, on 10/10/2007, -5/+8redbull is tastiest drink ever.
    • superpotential, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1i would like to see someone make fake red bull that has zero caffeine and other drugs and only that sour carbonated flavor, as a placebo. for those that drink red bull for it's flavor (there are lots, trust me) and not seeking energy boosts, that would be ideal.
      • CedEx, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Isn't that just like Lucozade? Sort of tastes similar to me.
    • bIuebonics, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5cough syrup? it taste like ***** liquid candy...
    • smokinjuan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Tastes like Tastey Wheat just like everything else.
  • mannymix03, on 10/10/2007, -6/+24it gives you wings.... DUH
    • ihate2regist, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2i thought it was wiiings
    • ChronicColonic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Stayfree feminine napkins come with wings.
  • thealliedhacker, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3http://www.duggmirror.com
  • djrisc, on 10/10/2007, -11/+8redbull tastes like sweetened piss.
    • BlackCow, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Hey some people, like me, enjoy the taste of sweet piss from time to time.
    • superpotential, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4obviously you've tasted piss then. can you elaborate on that experience?
      • nblsavage, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3mebbe he's a really old school doctor testing for diabetes
    • djrisc, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0i was hoping for that cliche, "obviously you've (insert nasty action here) then" reply. thanks for supplying that.
    • shinynew, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Hey, its sterile and i like the taste.
  • over9, on 10/10/2007, -20/+10IT GIVES YOU WINGS
    CAPS LOCK CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL
    THIS IS SPARTA
  • ubermonk, on 10/10/2007, -3/+33Apparently it boosts your overall energy by shutting down the part of the brain that controls your ability to spell things correctly, because that article sure had a lot of mistakes in it.
  • mach4x0r, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2http://duggmirror.com/health/How_Does_Redbull_Affect_Your_Brain_Chemistry/
  • xtr3m, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2http://www.duggmirror.com

    Looks like a spam blog though.
    • indicas, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2ding ding, we have a winner. sneaky blog spam aimed at getting back links.

      and it was successful, kudos to this guy :)
  • mach4x0r, on 10/10/2007, -5/+1http://duggmirror.com/health/How_Does_Redbull_Affect_Your_Brain_Chemistry/
  • MrM1yagi, on 10/10/2007, -2/+36All I know is Red Bull increases my power level to over 9000
  • lordmutt, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8Aye i miss the good ol' days of pure Coca-Cola....
    • Freonce, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4No kidding, when I was in grade 8 all you needed was a 2L of coke and you could game all night.
      • superpotential, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2nothing's stopping you, a 2L of coke still exists.

        i'd be willing to bet though that 2L of coke over a night is worse than 1 can of red bull for your health. you're downing a lot of phosphoric acid if you take 2L of coke, way too much sugar for your own good, and definitely a lot more caffeine than that 1 can of red bull has.
        • CedEx, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Didn't they change the type of sugar they used in Coke?
          • canUdi9it, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Yes, they went from cane sugar to corn syrup many years ago. The corn syrup is most likely from genetically modified corn. The plastic bottles also hurt the flavor. Mexican coke still comes in glass bottles and uses real cane sugar. It tastes so much better than US coke in plastic bottles.
          • redneckblues, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Yeah, now they use corn syrup instead of cane sugar. Bleh.
  • godfly, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3not sure what kind of redbull you have in the US but over here in Canada they have this carbonated water-dilluted redbull in can that is nothing compared to the original redbull in square bottles imported from Thailand. I drink one everday before my workout. doesnt give me wings but sure as hell it works.
    • DBrez8, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Yea all the energy drinks over there (Thailand) come in little medicine bottles. That's how you know they work. Well that or the amphetamines, either one... You know how i can get them in the states?
  • dnimphobic, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0sounds all good to me.
  • idc5, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2jager bombs = night of fun until you wake up with a nasty hangover
  • lordmutt, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2It'll get you energy....you'll be outrunning fat chicks in no-time! Redbull, it's my drink bitches!
  • ahnkou, on 10/10/2007, -3/+14Do You Know What Is Actually in It?

    Here are the active ingredients in Redbull that are resonsible for the increased energy.

    Glucose - Obviously glucose is Sugar. Cells use sugar and can rapidly convert it into energy. This gives a short term energy boost as glucose is turned into sugar.
    Taurine - Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally made in the human body. Each can of Red Bull contains 1000mg of Taurine. Taurine help to move minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium throughout the cells. This helps to generate nerve impulses.
    There has been some controversy over the effects of high levels of taurine on the body. It is believed to be unfounded but there are certain countries that prohibit the sale of redbull.
    Its sale is acutally prohibited in Denmark, France, Uruguay, and Norway. In France, Only energy drink without Taurine are sold.

    Glucuronolactone - Glucuronolactone is a precursor of taurine. It has be known to improve memory and concentration. It also can have stimulant and anti-depressant like effects.

    Inositol - Inositol has mood boosting effects and improves how the brain uses serotonin. A chemical that is the same that is boosted by anti-depressant drugs like prozac and zoloft.
    Some studies have recently shown that inositol may acually help treat certain problems like bipolar disorder, depression, and panic disorder.

    Niacin - Niacin is a B vitamin that helps in energy formation. It metabolizes energy from fat and carbohydrates. Niacin can help the body use energy by releasing it from food.
    D-Pantothenol - D-Pantothenol is also known as vitamin B5, or Pantothenic acid. It is known to improve mood and boost energy. D-Pantothenol help turn fat into energy and increases metabolism.

    Pyridoxine HCL - Also known as Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine HCL helps red blood cells to form and provides better oxygen utilization. It also help to break down sugar that you have stored in your body to use for energy.
    Vitamin B12 - B12 helps in the formation of red blood cells, for better oxygen utilization. It also help with energy production by breaking down fat and protein.
    Caffeine - Red Bull contains 80.0 milligrams of caffeine which is almost double the amount of all other soft drinks. The caffeine in Red Bull gives you energy by blocking a chemical in you brain called adenosine. Adenosine promotes seepiness and without it you would not be able to fall asleep. When adenosine is blocked you body releases a boost of adrenaline which wakes you up.
  • gdubs12345, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1http://duggmirror.com/health/How_Does_Redbull_Affect_Your_Brain_Chemistry/
  • Samsong, on 10/10/2007, -0/+11On Digg, English good no matter!
  • digitallysick, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1i read about some guys drinking jager bombs died from to much red bull? I love jager bombs, but, after about 4 cans of redbull i don't feel that great
  • Evildudetx, on 10/10/2007, -6/+1Pussies.....I used to down 7-8 cans of RB when clubbing in Germany. Mixing it with any alcohol is just dumb - you miss out on getting completely wired.
  • aeri, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1so, if red bull gives you all this energy... and you don't use it, what happens? is the un-used energy then stored as fat?
    • superpotential, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1it doesn't actually give you all that much energy, it's a huge misnomer. it gives you *awakeness* for a period of time, an ability to metabolize and use body energy in the immediate future in return for much more tiredness a several hours later.

      if you actually want energy as opposed to awakeness, the best thing to do is to eat a nice carbohydrate-rich dinner.
    • ScrabbyDoo, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Carbo makes you slow and sleepy. Serotonin.
  • burgess40, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0Show me data demonstrating that the amount of any of these in Redbull (other than caffeine and sugar) is enough to have the effects claimed or it doesn't happen.
    • aeri, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1drink a cup of coffe without sugar (caffine)
      drink a diet redbull (caffine + all the other things in red bull)
      and see for your self.
  • naonao, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Yeah, don't drink Red Bull, Lucozade ftw.
  • stratdog25, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3I LOVE energy drinks that blocks out chemicals that cause "seepiness". I hate being all "seepy" when I'm trying to accomplish something.
  • MacNyce, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Too bad is doesn't give you the energy to use spell check!!!
  • najdorf, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Red Bull is really just a vitamin supplement with added taurine (good for the heart). As with all supplements too much is bad, the right amount might be even good.
  • webcite1, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Just hit the CRACK pipe America! No need for Red Bull!....................Really, just eat right, get some sleep, avoid ALL DRUGS and you will feel fine in the AM. Now! If you have sex all night (first time new *****), you just might need a case of Red Bull and very strong coffee!
  • enginbeering, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Niacin's also good for passing drug tests. Just don't take it the night before or they'll be able to tell.
  • Ghoztt, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2Or you could *gasp* Eat a healthy diet with lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, AND exercise... but why do that when we can take the cheap, lazy fatass, "why do I have a headache" way?
    • bIuebonics, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1why couldn't you do all those things and still drink redbull? i do...
  • sQPha7e, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1mmm.. love me sum taurine
  • badollet, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Apparently Taurine is a major component of bile, which was first isolated in an ox...which I guess is why they named it Red "Bull". Yum.
  • Urusai, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1"...glucose is Sugar..." "...glucose is turned into sugar."

    It looks like Dr. Logicus has scored another triumph.
  • triad203, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3FYI: Article is inaccurate. Taurine is not at all an amino acid. From wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine ):

    "It is often called an amino acid, even in scientific literature, but it lacks a carboxyl group and therefore does not qualify as an amino acid in biochemical terminology."

    /pedantic
  • phantomcrawl, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Elaborate

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_citrate

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucuronolactone

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine

    too lazy to get them all haha
  • ONELOVE23, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Redbull mixed with alcohol very definitely accentuates the effects of alcohol. I don't know why, but perhaps an upped heart rate from the caffeine speeds the alcohol to the brain. Taken by itself, a redbull "crash" occurs after about 1 1/2 hours. Redbull also seems rather tame compared to some of the other energy drinks. I drank an "Amp" once when redbull wasn't available and within 15 minutes I was grinding my teeth. Tasted like ***** too. I rather like the taste of redbull.
  • madwelshacre, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Although this article lacks sources and contained some slightly inaccurate information, I dugg it because it was a really informative look at something that's always on my mind.
  • FAT_PIGGY, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Red Bull is for the average dumbass that doesn't no ***** about biochemistry.
    • FOR3MAN, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1...but at least I "no" how to spell common words (like know). I sure hope you're no biochem major with an error like that.
  • FOR3MAN, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Can someone do this same article, but about cocaine please?
  • cryofan, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1redbull makes you read bogus astroturf advertisments disguised as news stories.

  • pak314, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1A coworker had a bottle of some kind of energy drink on his desk. I looked at the nutrition label and it said it had 0 calories. I wonder where the energy comes from?
  • quinnmct, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1...but where are the Wiiiiings??

    /bad call
  • deusdiabolus, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Rockstar Juiced and Full Throttle are better mixers.
  • greener, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1This was ripped from Wired Magazine.
  • hotsh0t5, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Red bull tastes nasty. Anyone else know why it is some sort of requirement for energy drinks to taste like rancid ass?
    I'll stick to Bawls.
  • JustFender, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0RedBull it gives you wings...like LSD
    RedBalls: crack in a can
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